IRIA News

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has once again captured global attention with his bold comments on issues ranging from NATO spending to the strategic importance of Greenland. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump reiterated acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal.

As Trump’s political influence continues to shape discourse on both sides of the Atlantic, European leaders have responded quickly to his assertions, which touch on national security, international alliances, and the role of the U.S. in European defense.

“Greenland is not for sale

The most striking of Trump’s recent statements revolve around the future of Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory located in the Arctic region. While on a personal visit to Greenland this week, Donald Trump Jr. was spotted engaging with locals, but the real headlines came from his father. Trump has once again revived his earlier calls for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, a suggestion that was met with immediate backlash from Danish authorities.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded swiftly and firmly to Trump’s remarks, declaring that “Greenland is not for sale” and underscoring the island’s sovereignty. “Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has been very, very clear, that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either,” Frederiksen said in an interview with Danish television. Her comments are a direct rebuttal to Trump’s insistence that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes.

Frederiksen took a diplomatic tone in defending Denmark’s relationship with the U.S., adding, “We need to stay calm and stick to our principles.” At the same time, she praised the U.S. as “a key Danish ally.” This diplomatic pushback highlights the growing tensions between Denmark and the U.S., as Greenland is strategically located in the Arctic—a region that has become increasingly important due to the rising military presence of both Russia and China.

This is not the first time Trump has broached the topic, having previously suggested such a transaction during his presidency, but it continues to provoke strong reactions both in Greenland and Denmark.

In his usual brash style, Trump took to social media to emphasize his perspective, claiming that he was “hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA’,” referencing the “Make America Great Again” movement.

France and Germany criticize Donald Trump’s Greenland threats

Germany and France have warned against any attempt to “move borders by force” after Trump’s remarks on economic tariffs or military might to seize control of Danish-administered Greenland.

The European Union will not allow any nation to attack its sovereign borders, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated following Donald Trump’s remarks on Greenland. Barrot expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a U.S. invasion of the Arctic island. “There is no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are,” he told France Inter radio. “We are a strong continent.”

“If you’re asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered a period when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes,” Barrot said. He added that the EU should not allow itself to be intimidated or overly worried, but rather should “wake up and strengthen.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Trump’s remarks had triggered “incomprehension” among European leaders and that the leaders of the nations of the European Union would not tolerate the violation of the Danish territory’s borders. “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country – regardless of whether it is east of us or to the west – and every state must respect that, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state,” Scholz said.

NATO spending under scrutiny

In another area that has drawn European reactions, Trump once again doubled down on his criticism of NATO allies for not meeting the alliance’s defense spending goals. Throughout his presidency and into his post-election rhetoric, Trump has persistently pressured European nations to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP defense spending target, calling the contributions insufficient.

During the press conference, Trump asserted that NATO’s 2% target should be increased. “At that point, it was 2%, it should be 5%, not 2%,” Trump stated, arguing that a higher percentage would ensure better military readiness and a more equitable financial burden across NATO members. Trump’s call for a significant increase in military spending has led to concerns in Europe, where the 2% GDP target remains controversial in some countries.

Trump also reflected on his earlier efforts to secure increased funding for NATO, claiming credit for raising over $680 billion through pressure tactics, including threatening to withhold U.S. protection from countries that did not meet their defense spending obligations. “I raised over $680 billion by saying if you don’t pay, we’re not going to protect you. And as soon as I said that, the money came pouring in,” Trump boasted.

While some NATO members have already surpassed the 2% GDP benchmark, Poland, Estonia, and Latvia, for instance, other countries, including Italy, Portugal, and Spain, have struggled to meet the target. This disparity has fueled Trump’s ongoing demands for more equitable contributions from European allies.

Despite Trump’s criticism, recent reports indicate that NATO’s defense spending has made significant strides in recent years. According to NATO’s latest figures, 2024 marked a record year for military spending compliance, with 23 out of 31 members meeting the 2% GDP target. This includes notable increases in spending from Eastern European countries, such as Poland, which allocated 4.1% of its GDP to defense.

However, some European nations remain below the 2% threshold, and concerns linger about the sustainability of these spending increases, particularly amid economic challenges. Countries such as Italy and Belgium have faced political pushback over defense budgets, with many citizens and politicians questioning the long-term viability of increasing military expenditure in the face of other pressing domestic needs.

NATO-Russia border

While Trump’s remarks about NATO and Greenland grabbed the spotlight, he also weighed in on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, placing blame on the Biden administration for its handling of the conflict. Trump suggested that the war might never have escalated had he been in office, calling the situation a “disaster” and lamenting the human toll of the conflict.

“Russia would have never, ever gone in,” Trump claimed, describing the destruction in Ukraine as “a disaster.” He criticized the Biden administration for failing to prevent the war and suggested that under different leadership, the invasion could have been avoided. Trump also pointed to Europe’s limited financial contribution to Ukraine, stating that “Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that we’re in.”

These comments signal Trump’s intention to push for a reassessment of Europe’s role in global defense and security. As the war in Ukraine continues, Trump’s rhetoric highlights his belief that Europe should bear more financial responsibility for its defense and for contributing to international security efforts.

Trans-Atlantic relations under Trump

As Donald Trump’s rhetoric continues to reverberate through Europe, the continent finds itself at a crossroads. From the future of Greenland to the funding of NATO, European leaders must navigate the complex balance between maintaining their sovereignty and security while also managing a sometimes unpredictable and aggressive U.S. counterpart.

What remains clear is that Trump’s influence on global geopolitics remains significant, with his statements provoking both support and backlash across the Atlantic. As Europe continues to wrestle with its defense commitments and its relationship with the U.S., the coming years promise to be a period of intense diplomatic negotiation and potential realignment of international alliances. The question is not just how Europe will respond to Trump, but also how it will assert its place on the world stage in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.